Michael Schmidt fined $9,150, placed on 1 yr probation today in Newmarket

Story from Linda Nyugen, Postmedia News in the Montreal Gazette. This is up fast. The verdict was announced barely two hours ago.

Michael Schmidt talks to reporters outside the courthouse today in Newmarket

“NEWMARKET, Ont. — An Ontario dairy farmer was fined $9,150 and placed on a year’s probation Friday for making and providing raw milk and cheese through a cow-share business.

Michael Schmidt was found guilty on appeal last September on 13 charges related to the production, sale and distribution of unpasteurized milk under the province’s Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Cow share friends meet again in Dallas

Eleanor is a cow-share member from Richmond Hill. She sent the picture below of her sons and Michael Schmidt, which she took at the recent Weston A. Price conference in Dallas.

Nico and Raf with farmer Michael Schmidt, at the WAPF conference in Dallas

We wrote back and asked for some background on the photo. Here it is:

I am a raw milk drinker (as is my family), Cow Share Canada member and food freedom supporter. We value ethical farmers – true stewards of the land – and what they produce and, as much as possible, we eat from the farm.

I support Michael’s dedication to food freedom and have shared his story with my two sons (Nicholas, blond boy on the left in picture is my older son, Rafael on the right, is Nicholas’ friend; my younger son did not attend the conference).